Boulder Asian festival

This is my first attempt at changing the background with GIMP. I have the original in my

portfolio, feel free to comment and critique both. Please let me know how you think I did and

thanks in advance - Lex

I think you did a good job, I too am trying to figure out GIMP. I took a look at the original too, and she definately stands out more in the alteration. Good job!

this one really looks better with the black background.

i think the fact that you included the floor with the spots of color makes this shot work! great job!

I really do like the flowers on the floor as well, otherwise she starts to look like she's floating. I think though that my favorite part of the picture are her eyes. She was incredibly animated with her face, especially her eyes. Thanks - Lex

This is a wonderful photograph!.... Unable to understand the menaing of GIMP, the effort you have put to change the background has turned a bit unsuccessful, because the edges of the subject and background black colour are not as smooth and natural as they should be. I recommend you to try using Photoshop for such jobs. Regards, amer.

Thanks Amer Raja. GIMP is free ware, and I agree that the edges look jaggy. I went in by hand and tried to clean it up, but wasn't all too successful. I think I've decided now that photoshop is most likely a very good investment. Thanks for your comments and suggestions. - Lex

Hi Alexa.

I like the retention of the floor too. Yes, GIMP is basically the only photo manipulation program I really use. Here's a tutorial that should help with this photo. The key step is applying a Gaussian blur with a radius of around 5-10 pixels to the edge of the mask. It's been a while since I used Photoshop, but I found the learning curve to be similarly steep to GIMP for things like layer masking.

You are so right about her animation. What a lively lovely composition here, both from her and you. I could see the jagged edges too. I'm also trying to master that in PS. It's the bane of a photographer's existence I think. You made a great capture. And a black background it defenitely the best choice here. I agree that the flowers on the floor work well. Good job.

Thanks Aggie. I think that I need to go back and try this one again. I really do like the flowers, and her eyes... They were the best part of the dance, so expressive and clear. Thanks again - Lex